Studying Abroad in Paris - Challenging and Rewarding Past Review
By Anna G (International Economics and Finance, The Catholic University of America) for
France Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
Absolutely!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The textbooks were incredibly expensive. There should be an option to buy them used or not at all. Furthermore, most of my teachers (after requiring a 75 euro book) never referenced them. There was no consistency in grading policy. Some teachers graded very easily with a curve while others stuck to the French tradition of never offering an A. I also had a hard time reaching several of my teachers outside of class. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Great faculty! Very caring and considerate. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My first housing arragement was sub-par. The housing coordinator made an agreement with the host-family long before my arrival. However, in the intermediate period the host-family changed their plans and never informed the program. They insisted they weren't taking in students just for the money, but they were hosting too many students to fit in their apartment! Uncomfortable. The housing coordinator fixed my problem the moment I reported it. I was placed in a new, excellent homestay and never felt abandoned. Inconvenient, but I can't thank the program enough for being so helpful! |
| * Food: |
It would be nice if there were more meals offered in homestays than 3/week. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Field trips were fun. Would have liked more opportunities to socialize outside of class. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
|
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
Finances
|
* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
|
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Food was the most expensive item. Since we only got 3 meals a week at home, I spent a great deal of money on meals. I didn't travel much and I was still spending roughtly $250/week. It gets expensive! |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I didn't realize that once on the ground there was going to be an OFII stamp that cost FIFTY euros. That's ridiculous! The visa itself cost hundreds and once on the ground they call you in for yet ANOTHER appointment and charge. I had no idea! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | No language taken previously |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
| Language acquisition improvement? |
While many people spoke English, I used the foreign language every day in my homestay. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | If you're looking to be lost in French culture and emerge fluent in French, this program isn't for you. This is an introduction-to-being-abroad course for students who are looking to study abroad without much language or travel experience. |
